Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018 – 2028

Kent residents are being asked for their opinions on the Kent County Council’s plans for maintaining and improving public footpaths and bridleways.

KCC has launched a 12-week consultation on its Public Rights of Way strategy for the next 10 years.

The vision outlined in the council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan is: “To provide a high quality, well-maintained PROW network, that is well used and enjoyed. The use of the network will support the Kent economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Kent a great place to live, work and visit.”

The plan identifies the following themes:

Active lifestyles – how use of the network has the potential to improve health and wellbeing;

Evolution of the network – changes required to meet current and future needs;

Knowing what’s out there – how the provision of information removes barriers to use;

Well-maintained network – how poorly maintained public rights of way act as a barrier to use;

Rights with responsibilities – responsible management and use of the network promoting good relationships;

Efficient delivery – why the Public Rights of Way and Access Service must use resources available to secure the greatest benefits for the public.

However, members of the public have the chance to say whether these themes are the correct priorities and make other suggestions.

The consultation is open until 12 September, and the questionnaire can be completed online at www.kent.gov.uk/rightsofwayimprovementplan. To request hard copies of any consultation materials, residents can email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or telephone 03000 421553.

Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “Our Public Rights of Way and Access Service looks after a network of about 4,300 miles of footpaths and bridleways, giving the public access to the county’s wonderful countryside and coastline.

“Officers have been carrying out detailed research and analysis to produce this plan, which builds on the achievements of the past 10 years.

“I hope the public will take the opportunity to give us their views on how much they value the service and offer their own ideas on its future plans.”

Have your say

The vision of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan is to provide a high quality, well maintained Public Rights of Way network, that will support the Kent economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Kent a great place to live, work and visit.

The plan set out our vision for the Rights of Way network and how KCC will work towards delivering this over the next 10 years. KCC would like your views on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018 – 2028 to ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of Kent residents.

The draft Strategy is available to download from the ‘Documents’ section below. Please let KCC know your thoughts by completing the online questionnaire (via the ‘Respond to this Consultation’ section below).

Your responses will be compiled into a consultation report, which will help produce the final version of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Please note this consultation closes at midnight on 12 September 2018.

Alternative Formats and Hard Copies

To request hard copies of any of the consultation documents, or for any other formats, please email: alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call: 03000 421553 (text relay service number: 18001 03000 421553). This number goes to an answering machine, which is monitored during office hours.

We recommend using Google Chrome if viewing and downloading consultation documents from mobile devices.

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